Paradise Ponds

Water gardens attract beneficial insects such as lady beetles and lacewings that feast o aphids, while dragonflies devour mosquito larvae that your fish and amphibians miss.

Don't be surprised if your water garden becomes a gathering place for local wildlife. Frogs, turtles, birds and beneficial insects will make themselves feel right at home in your beautiful setting.

Mistakes and poor planning can be costly. If you're thinking of installing an in-ground pond, research your options and requirements before beginning the project or consult a local contractor experienced in this type of installation.

With their large, exotic peony-like flowers that bloom throughout the summer, lotus are welcome addition to any water garden. The blooms appear in a number of colors that are wonderfully enhanced by their blue-green leaves.

Making a small garden pond is really quite easy. Just take a shallow container, and add a few water garden plants and water. You'll have a pretty, mini-water garden in a flash.

Consider adding Louisiana irises to your water garden. This plant is native in many areas of the country, and numerous hybrids have also been developed in order to thrive in any growing zone.

Whether gardens are extremely versatile and suited for almost any setting. Whether you start small using a container on your porch or patio, or jump right in with an in-ground pond with all the trimmings, we have something for everyone.

Water lilies have an important role in the water garden. Besides providing cooling shade and preventing algae growth, they also shelter any fish you may have from the sun and predatory birds.

Water lilies are quite hardy and will bloom from the late spring until the frost and can survive winters in deep ponds as far north as Zone 4. They are available in an variety of colors including white, yellow, pink and red.

Have you thought about including swamp lilies in your water garden? Native to North America, these beautiful flowers produce fragrant pink or white blooms throughout the spring, summer and fall.

Your water garden should floating plants to shade the water and absorb dissolved nutrients, which help to minimize algae growth and to keep the water clean.

Want to create a lovely border to frame your water garden? Japanese primrose is the perfect little plant for the edges of your oasis. These perennials thrive in acidic soils, creating a lovely array of mixed colors year-after-year.

Lay a plastic tarp down on top of the soil before you fill the pond with water to avoid a messy situation. When the water level is where you want it, slowly slide the plastic tarp out. This way, the soil won't be as disturbed as it would be if you just turned the hose lose.

A natural-looking water garden should have sloped sides with planting terraces that step down toward the depths of the pond. This design helps you create different habitats along with a wider variety of plants.

When adding plants to your water garden, the first step is to build a bed for them. However, if you will be using soil to hold your plants in place, use a heavy clay soil mixture. Soil containing peat, manure or vermiculite will just disperse and create a mess.

Wondering what to include in your water garden? It's beauty is instantly enhanced by water lilies with their rounded leaves and starry flowers floating peacefully on the surface.

If you are going all out and creating a pond for your water garden, do a little homework to decide what size and design is best for where you live. Because a project of this nature involves a significant investment of time and money, you need a plan before going forward.

Even if you have a small area to work with, you can still have a water garden, as many water plants can be grown in a tub of water on a deck, balcony or patio. You can even add a fountain or a fish if you wish.

To add greenery to your water garden, grow variegated Sweet Flag. The striking bright cream and green foliage will create a unique complement to the other plants in your water garden.

For pest-control around your water garden, add the insect-eating Pitcher Plant. With its tube-shaped leaves and its rainbow of red, purple, yellow, or green flowers it adds that perfect splash of color.

Why have a water garden? One that is well-designed and well-planted provides a relaxing backyard oasis away from the cares and worries of the everyday world.

To keep your water garden healthy and thriving, be sure to include a variety of fauna. Fish and amphibians keep mosquito populations in check, while snails and tadpoles feast on algae.

Want to add color and floating plants to your water garden? Among the most popular to consider include duckweed, lotus, water hyacinth, water lilies, American frogbit, and water lettuce.

When you spot frogs jumping into the water and notice dragonflies flitting about flitting about your water garden, you know you have created something wonderful.

Gravel at the bottom of your water garden delivers a cleaner look than soil does. Submerged plants don't need to root in soil, and the gravel provides a suitable anchor.

Don't want to bother with soil or fertilizer for your water plants? Submerged plants spend their entire lives growing beneath the surface. taking the nutrients they need directly from the water through their stems and leaves.

A water garden that works with mother nature is easy-to-maintain. The ecologically-balanced water gardens include lots of aquatic plants, fish, plenty of rocks, and mechanical and biological filtration systems.

“One day is not enough to green our earth. Planting caring and love is also expecting our earth from us. Do it. It will heal not only the land but also your body and mind.” -Karthikeyan V

A water garden enhances the natural beauty of the outside areas of your home. It will make your entire neighborhood more glamorous and beautiful. Moreover, curb appeal is a great selling point if you decide to sell your house.

A beautiful saying by Georges Bernanos: “Little things seem nothing, but they give peace, like those meadow flowers which individually seem odorless but all together perfume the air.”